BURY may have to be patient if they want to land top goalkeeping target Nick Pope before the start of the season.

The Charlton stopper is determined to prove himself to head coach Guy Luzon at the Valley in pre-season, and sources at The Valley believe he will get a chance.

David Flitcroft rates the 6ft 3ins 23-year-old highly after bringing him to the JD Stadium in January on loan, where he helped guide the Shakers to automatic promotion from League Two, keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 appearances.

And he would certainly fancy the chance of working with him again as he looks to build on the outstanding defensive improvement made in the latter half of last season.

But while Pope is currently behind Republic of Ireland international Stephen Henderson in the pecking order at Charlton, sources close to the player suggest he wants to stay in South London in the short-term to see if he can win a regular spot in the Championship before looking further afield.

The Addicks are looking to trim their wage bill – and so a sufficient bid could change their mind – but it currently looks like a loan is the Shakers’ best bet, and then only if the youngster does not manage to gain more first team football.

Flitcroft does have able back-up in Rob Lainton, the 25-year-old former Bolton Wanderers stopper who earned a new one-year contract this summer. But it seems unlikely he would want to gamble in the new League One campaign with just one senior goalkeeping option, and so may need a firm answer from Charlton in the next few weeks, or potentially look elsewhere.

Intriguingly, Shakers chairman Stewart Day hinted there could be some business on the horizon in an interview this week, having completed summer deals for Peter Clarke, Leon Clarke and Tom Pope already.

“We’re hugely excited for the start of the new season,” he said. “We’ve made three new signings and hopefully there will be a few more as well. I honestly can’t wait for it to get started.”

Meanwhile, there has been a significant reshuffle in the management team at the JD Stadium this week with Chris Sedgewick appointed as first team coach.

The 35-year-old announced his retirement after last season’s promotion but will now be registered as a player for the new campaign, which kicks-off on August 8 at Doncaster Rovers.

Chris Brass has taken up a new role as head of football operations, with the club hoping he can now have a wider influence on the coaching from first team down to academy level.

And to complete the changes, Ben Futcher installed as the new assistant manager to David Flitcroft, Brass’s previous role, having been player development coach since 2012.